I can’t believe I’ve found another RGB gadget for my home, but this flashy turntable is funky, affordable, automatic, and comes with some really neat touches

New CoolGeek TS-01 launched on Kickstarter
Automatic record player with glowing light in the dish
A retail price of $299 and it’s already fully funded

Like any good tech writer, RGB-colored gadgetry has infiltrated my home, but there’s one set that still won’t light up—or did not glow, but a new Kickstarter project looks set to fix that.

I’m talking about the new CoolGeek TS-01 turntable, which you can check out on the crowdfunding page here. It appears to be the first project from the CoolGeek brand, but it’s already blown past its HK$100,000 (approx. $12,000, £9,000, AU$18,000) goal by at least 10 times.

The CoolGeek TS-01 retails for $299, so it’s cheaper than some of our favorite affordable spinners like the Sony PS-LX5BT, and in classic Kickstarter fashion, it’s even cheaper if you pledge earlier.

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The ‘gimmick’ of this turntable – according to me, rather than CoolGeek – is that it comes with some lighting effects that come from the dish. The Kickstarter doesn’t say whether these are automatic or customizable in an app, but the latter seems possible.

That’s because the speaker supports Bluetooth 5.3 output as well as RCA, so it could theoretically connect to an app.

It’s all about ease of use

(Image credit: CoolGeekl)

Judging by the Kickstarer page, CoolGeek has a different idea about the turntable’s selling points.

The site points to the turntable’s automatic status as a draw, with an included remote ensuring you can operate the turntable without having to get up and operate the arm (except presumably to change the record every 20 minutes in time-honored tradition).

It’s also a thin creation with a 28mm profile for the body, with no dust cover or dish.

The tonearm is made with carbon fiber, but there is no word on the cartridge, although it appears to have an Audio-Technica logo on it in pictures. The Kickstarter page’s focus on ease of use and the price suggest to me that this is designed as an entry-level turntable rather than one for audiophiles.

But given that some of the best turntables are the easiest to use, that’s only a good thing. Their complex setup may put off potential turntable owners, and so a build like this could overcome some hurdles. RGB is just a nice extra touch.

The Kickstarter campaign runs until May 10, and CoolGeek states that shipping will begin in early July, with units taking up to a month to arrive, depending on where you live.